SlabID

How to scan a sports card for the best results

Short answer

Lay the card flat on a plain surface, use bright, even light with no glare, fit the whole card in the frame and hold your iPhone straight above it. Scan the front, then the back if you can: the back is optional but recommended, because it often shows the year, set and card number. Sleeves, top loaders and slabs are fine. If a result is wrong, edit the details or scan again.

Good and bad photos

  • Flat, straight, even light, whole card in frame
    ✓ GoodFlat, straight, even light, whole card in frame
  • The back, shot the same way, adds the year, set and number
    ✓ GoodThe back, shot the same way, adds the year, set and number
  • Too dark: details and colors get lost
    ✕ AvoidToo dark: details and colors get lost
  • Tilted: the card is stretched out of shape
    ✕ AvoidTilted: the card is stretched out of shape
  • Glare: a bright spot hides the print
    ✕ AvoidGlare: a bright spot hides the print
  • Cut off: part of the card is outside the frame
    ✕ AvoidCut off: part of the card is outside the frame
  • Blurry: hold still and tap to focus
    ✕ AvoidBlurry: hold still and tap to focus
  • In a top loader: fine, just check for reflections
    ✓ GoodIn a top loader: fine, just check for reflections
  • In a slab: fine, keep the label in the frame
    ✓ GoodIn a slab: fine, keep the label in the frame

Some examples are edited from the same photo to show each problem.

Step by step

  1. Use a plain, flat surface

    A table or desk in one color works best. Avoid patterned cloth, and do not hold the card in your hand.

  2. Get bright, even light

    Daylight near a window or a ceiling light is ideal. Turn on more lights rather than using the flash.

  3. Stop glare

    Tilt the card or move the light until no bright spot sits on the card. Chrome, refractor and foil cards need the most care.

  4. Hold your iPhone straight above the card

    Keep the phone parallel to the card, so the edges look square and not like a trapezoid.

  5. Fill the frame

    Get close enough that the card fills most of the photo, with all four corners visible.

  6. Hold still and focus

    Tap the card on the screen to focus, and wait a moment before you take the photo.

  7. Scan the back too

    The back is optional, but it often shows the year, set, card number and serial number, which makes the result more precise.

Sleeves, top loaders and slabs

You do not need to take a card out to scan it. SlabID works with cards in penny sleeves, top loaders and graded slabs from PSA, BGS and SGC. Plastic reflects light, so check for glare before you take the photo. For a slab, keep the label in the frame: it shows the grade.

If the result is wrong

  • Edit the details: correct the player, year, set, parallel or any other field in the app.
  • Scan again with better light, less glare, a straighter angle, or with the back added.
  • Parallels can look very similar, so compare the color and finish of your card closely.

Questions and answers

Do I need to scan the back of the card?
No, the back is optional, but it is recommended. It often shows the year, set and card number, which helps SlabID tell similar cards apart.
Can I scan a card without taking it out of its sleeve or slab?
Yes. SlabID works through penny sleeves, top loaders and PSA, BGS and SGC slabs. Just avoid reflections on the plastic.
Why does my scan show the wrong card?
Usually because of glare, low light, a tilted angle or part of the card being cut off. Fix the photo and scan again, or edit the details in the app.
How accurate is SlabID?
SlabID identifies cards with 98% accuracy, across more than 20 million cards. Card values are estimates.

More guides